Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed
6 Min Read
While Egypt confirms the Gaza ceasefire is in effect, uncertainty surrounds the timing of captive releases, and reports suggest “Israel” resumed strikes despite the truce.
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Israeli settlers observe smoke rising to the sky after an explosion in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, following the announcement that “Israel” and the Palestinian Resistance have agreed to the first phase of a peace plan to pause the fighting. (AP)
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent has reported that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza has officially taken effect.
Echoing this, Egypt’s Al Qahera News Channel confirmed that a ceasefire aimed at halting the war in Gaza has been implemented.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also confirmed the development, stating that “an agreement has been reached to implement a ceasefire and end the war in Gaza.”
The announcement follows weeks of indirect negotiations and mounting international pressure to end the ongoing Israeli genocide that has devastated the besieged Palestinian enclave.
Israeli cabinet to convene on captive release
However, within Israeli circles, the ceasefire taking effect comes at a different time, paving the way for continued crimes.
An official in Netanyahu's office said the ceasefire in Gaza will take effect only after the government approves the agreement this evening.
This comes as Israeli media reported that the government will convene at 6 pm local time to discuss a plan to secure the release of all captives held in Gaza.
“Agenda – Plan for the release of all Israeli hostages,” read an announcement posted on the Israeli government’s official website.
A meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet has been scheduled for one hour prior to the full cabinet session to deliberate on the terms of the agreement.
Exact timing of detainee-captive exchange unclear
An Israeli source quoted by Reuters said that all 20 living captives are expected to be freed by Sunday or Monday, though uncertainty remains regarding the exact timing of the release.
Reports indicate that the agreement between "Israel" and Hamas stipulates the captives’ release within 72 hours of the ceasefire’s formal implementation, which is expected to begin once the cabinet gives its approval.
However, Israeli media, citing Netanyahu's office, said that contrary to reports, the 72-hour period agreed upon for the detainee-captive exchange will be counted after the agreement is approved in the cabinet session.
Bombing resumes as ceasefire takes effect
Despite the declared ceasefire, Al Mayadeen’s correspondent reported that “Israel” renewed its bombing of Gaza just as the ceasefire came into effect, casting doubt over the durability of the agreement and raising concerns over violations in the critical first hours of implementation.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s National Emergency and Ambulance Committee warned the Palestinian people against rushing back to the disaster-affected areas.
Gaza Civil Defense warns residents against returning to unsafe areas
The General Directorate of Civil Defense in Gaza has urged residents of the southern Gaza Strip not to attempt returning to Gaza City until an official announcement is issued confirming it is safe to do so.
In a statement, the Directorate stressed that everyone should remain in their places until receiving confirmation from the relevant authorities that Rashid Street and the surrounding areas have been cleared of Israeli occupation forces.
The Civil Defense also cautioned residents currently in Gaza City against traveling to areas where Israeli forces remain active or are conducting field operations, citing serious risks to their safety.
It warned that occupation forces are still present in several dangerous zones and that random movement could endanger civilians’ lives. The Directorate reiterated its call for all citizens to fully comply with official instructions until roads and areas are formally declared secure.
Gaza ceasefire deal reached
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that “Israel” and Hamas agreed to implement the first phase of his proposed peace plan for the Gaza Strip, following indirect negotiations held in Egypt earlier this week.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, "I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly! This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen."
Gaza ceasefire details
Four-point framework covers ceasefire
Al Mayadeen’s bureau chief in Turkey, Omar Kayid, reported that according to senior leadership sources, the first stage of the newly reached Gaza ceasefire agreement rests on four main points:
- Ending the war;
- Facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid;
- Implementing a phased Israeli withdrawal;
- Exchanging prisoners and captives for captives, alive and remains, within a defined timetable.
Kayid said that international institutions and agencies, including the United Nations, will supervise the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. According to details obtained by Al Mayadeen, at least 400 aid trucks are expected to enter Gaza daily during the first five days of the truce, with the number gradually increasing afterward.
The Rafah border crossing is set to be rehabilitated immediately following the signing of the agreement, paving the way for the entry of hundreds of aid trucks.
Prisoner exchange, handover timeline
Kayid confirmed that 20 Israeli captives will be released in exchange for more than 2,000 Palestinian detainees, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 detained since October 7, 2023.
He said the handover of detainees will take place within 72 hours, as stipulated by US President Trump. The Israeli withdrawal, expected to begin on Friday, will precede the handover scheduled for Monday.
Kayid added that "Israel" will return all the bodies of Palestinians, including that of Yahya al-Sinwar, while 28 bodies will be transferred in a later phase.
According to Kayid, the Israeli occupation demanded that no public ceremonies accompany the release of captives.
Political, regional dimensions
Kayid reported that Hamas rejected any form of international guardianship over the Gaza Strip, insisting that the matter remains an internal Palestinian affair.
He further cited indications of a possible confrontation between Turkey and "Israel", noting that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the agreement, praised the mediators’ efforts, and affirmed that Turkey, as one of the guarantor states, will closely monitor the implementation of the deal.
According to Kayid, Turkey confirmed that the US has pledged to prevent Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from resuming the war once the ceasefire takes effect.
Meanwhile, Hamas called on Trump to ensure that “Israel fulfills all its commitments under the agreement and is prevented from evading or delaying its implementation.”
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